Oldham Athletic U18 4-3 Stockport County U18
Tanya Blakey

As the scoreline suggests, a very entertaining game at Chapel Road on Saturday morning, where the first 45 minutes were played in very difficult blustery conditions. Both teams tried to get the ball down and play and well organised defences were on top with chances few and far between.

Latics' best opportunities were coming from Chris Rowney set pieces and Laquan Esdaille and Ryan Brooke came close to opening the scoring in the first half, but didn't test the goalkeeper. At the other end Anthony White made a couple of decent saves as Stockport took advantage of the strong wind that was a t their backs.

As the first half came to its conclusion, Latics seemed to have held on, but in injury time, Stockport took the lead with a fine strike from midfield, which flew past White giving him no chance.

The second half saw Latics really steal the initiative and their response to going behind was very positive and on the hour slick play between Kilcourse and Rowney saw the latter fire home across the goalkeeper from a narrow angle. This goal really gave Latics the impetus to drive forward and a purple patch mid way through the second half saw them add a further 3 goals in ten minutes to make the scoreline 4-1 at this stage.

Strikes by Ryan Brooke ( a fine header), Liam Dawson (after fine interplay between Brooke and trialist Scott Hogan) and Hogan himself (a calm one on one finish) really put Latics in the driving seat. However, nerves were put on edge as in the last 10 minutes Stockport struck back to score 2 quick goals and Latics had to defend frantically in the last five minutes to hold onto their lead. They did this successfully though and ran out victors in what was a very good advert for youth football.

See below in the youth section for the Cup defeat to Burnley on Monday...